Foreigner- Shonen Knife And More
We take a quick listen to some of our favorite new and recent releases from Foreigner, Shonen Knife, The Sensational Country Blues Wonders!, Chris Stamey, Lonnie Mack and more.
Foreigner - In the Eye of the Storm
Here's a nice live record from the legendary hit makers, recorded in conjunction with the band's 50th anniversary. Of its 10 songs five are electric and five are acoustic; fans will be pleased to know that four of the electric songs, including a fiery take on "Hot Blooded," feature original singer Lou Gramm. The acoustic cuts notably include a take on the Simon & Garfunkel chestnut "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Shonen Knife - Let's Knife Re-Cut
The long-running all-woman Japanese band has re-recorded their 1992 breakout album
Let's Knife and it is even more fun than the original. Packed full of bubblegum garage rock like "Riding on the Rocket," the surf-infused "Twist Barbie" and the ode to eating jelly beans that is "Flying Jelly Attack,"
Let's Knife Re-Cut is a musical wink that'll have listeners smiling and dancing and even having some furry fun while "I Am a Cat" plays.
The Sensational Country Blues Wonders! - Music Sounds Better When You're Stoned
No need to wait until 420; this fourth album from Gary Van Miert is intoxicating anytime. The effort begins with the title cut which sets the mood for the rest of the album with the extremely catchy, psychedelic ode to smoking weed and jamming out. And it coins the clever phrase "A rolling stoner gathers no moss!" More musical dissipation plays out in the appropriately-trippy "A Mad Tea Party," the cannabis carousel ride that is "Stoners Circus" and the rocking "Harsh Toke."
Chris Stamey - Modernism
Best known for his work with the dBs, here Stamey displays his mastery of pop music with a set of covers that date back to the 1960s and early 1970s. It's a bit of an eccentric batch that begins with a take on the Beatles' "Hey Bulldog" and also includes a sublime version of the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset" (with the dBs) and even Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin.)" Especially notable are interpretations of the Left Banke deep cut "Shadows Breaking Over My Head" and album closer "Ruby Tuesday" where the late Alex Chilton appears on the Rolling Stones classic.
Lonnie Mack - Live From Louisville 1992
Here's a fine live effort from blues rock guitarist Lonnie Mack, who passed away about a decade ago. The show begins with "Camp Washington Chili"/"If You Have to Know" and Mack's guitar playing is as hot as the titular chili. Also included are the audience participation cut "Satisfying Suzie," the slow blues of "Stop" and a take on Chuck Berry's "Memphis" that segues into "Wham." And as a little dessert after opener "Camp Washington Chili" Mack throws in "Oreo Cookie Blues," one of his originals.
Jayler - Voices Unheard
Is it a good thing to compare an up-and-coming group to a legendary classic rock act? In this case yes, and fans of Led Zeppelin will hear echoes of the mighty Zep in Jayler, especially in cuts like "Down Below" and "Riverboat Queen," both of which feature Robert Plant-like vocals from James Bartholomew along with heavy blues rock melodies, excellent guitar work and harmonica flourishes. But Jayler has their own identity and they prove it with catchy rockers like the radio-ready "The Getaway" and the album's tender moment "Bittersweet."
Boiled in Lead - King of the Dogwoods
Wow, this Minneapolis-based Celtic punk band now has an even dozen albums for their fans to devour. And the faithful will indeed eat this one up. Haley Olson's violin work accentuates Todd Menton's vocals on opener "King of the Dogwoods," a somewhat eerie cut that mentions cryptids. Don't plan on sitting still during the instrumental "Slip Jigs," or for much of the album really, including the Olson showcase "Haley's Reels" or the self-explanatory "Fast Reels."
Refestramus - Morri's Rock Boutique
Here's an excellent prog rock record from Refestramus which is drummer and main songwriter Derek Ferguson, production man Ian Beabout and sax and clarinet player Mitch Lawrence. But they employ a bunch of singers and side players to create a very full sound, and some of those guests are quite well known. Joe Deninzon of Kansas appears on the band's cover of classic Russian song "The Cossacks Dream;" other guests hail from Octarine Sky, Van der Graaf Generator, Crack the Sky and Old Blood. As all good prog rock does,
Morri's Rock Boutique takes the listener on a journey that allows for new discovery with each play.
